In Another World With My Building Skills, And Made My Own Kingdom

The Abandoned City

Life in Kenta's kingdom was thriving. The new arrivals had been integrated successfully, contributing to the kingdom's economy and culture. Trade routes flourished, the arts blossomed, and the spirit of community was stronger than ever. Despite the looming threats, Kenta's leadership ensured that the kingdom remained a beacon of hope and prosperity.

One morning, as Kenta was reviewing the construction of new fortifications with Seraphina and Elara, a scout rode into the courtyard at breakneck speed. His face was pale, and his eyes were wide with urgency.

"Your Majesty," the scout panted, bowing quickly. "We have discovered an abandoned city to the west, deep within the forest. It appears to have been deserted for many years, but there's something strange about it. It looks like it was left in a hurry, with no signs of a struggle."

Kenta exchanged a look with Seraphina and Elara. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention," he said. "Prepare a team. We will investigate this city ourselves."

The following day, Kenta, Seraphina, Elara, Aiden, and a group of elite guards set out towards the western forest. The journey was arduous, the dense foliage and uneven terrain slowing their progress. As they traveled, Kenta's mind raced with possibilities. What could have caused an entire city to be abandoned so suddenly?

After two days of travel, they arrived at the outskirts of the city. The first thing that struck them was the eerie silence. No birds chirped, no animals rustled in the underbrush. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

The city was vast, with towering buildings that had once been majestic but were now overgrown with vines and moss. The architecture was different from anything Kenta had seen before, with intricate carvings and statues that hinted at a rich and vibrant culture.

Kenta dismounted his horse and walked cautiously into the city square, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The rest of the team followed, their eyes wide with awe and curiosity.

"This place is incredible," Seraphina said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But why would it be abandoned?"

Elara knelt beside a crumbling fountain, running her fingers through the stagnant water. "It doesn't make sense. There's no sign of war or natural disaster. It's as if everyone just vanished."

Kenta nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need to search the city for clues. Spread out, but stay within sight of each other. Be careful."

The team dispersed, each member exploring different parts of the city. Kenta made his way towards what appeared to be the city hall, a grand building with tall columns and ornate decorations. As he entered, he felt a chill run down his spine. The air was thick with an inexplicable sense of dread.

Inside, the city hall was a labyrinth of hallways and rooms, each more elaborately decorated than the last. Kenta moved cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. In one of the larger rooms, he found a large table covered in maps and documents. He examined them closely, noting that they were written in an unfamiliar script.

"Elara, come take a look at this," Kenta called out.

Elara hurried over, her eyes lighting up with curiosity as she examined the documents. "This script is ancient. It predates most known languages. I can try to translate, but it will take time."

Kenta nodded. "Do what you can. We need to understand what happened here."

As Elara worked on the translation, Kenta continued to explore the city hall. In a smaller, more secluded room, he found a large book bound in leather. He opened it carefully, the pages brittle with age. The book appeared to be a journal, written by someone who had lived in the city.